Alcohol and Fibroids: What’s the Relation?

If you have fibroids, you may be concerned about the impact that drinking alcohol might have on their growth.  Current research has found that alcohol consumption alters the levels of various hormones, growth factors, and cytokines, possibly leading to an increased risk for fibroid disease.² However, more research is needed to determine a direct causal relationship.

If you are suffering from the effects of uterine fibroids, we want you to know that help is available. Along with making certain lifestyle changes, visiting a fibroid specialist can help you find relief from painful and inconvenient symptoms.

ARE YOUR SYMPTOMS CAUSED BY FIBROIDS? TAKE THE QUIZ

The Relationship Between Fibroids and Alcohol Consumption

In general, the causes of uterine fibroids are not definite. However, it is widely believed many factors, including genetics, hormones, other growth factors, and a substance called Extracellular Matrix (ECM), may contribute to fibroid growth.

Age and race can also affect your likelihood of developing fibroids. Women of childbearing age and African-American descent are more likely to be disproportionately affected.

Other factors can also impact the development and growth of fibroids. For instance, you may be at increased risk if you: 

• Have high blood pressure
• Are Vitamin D deficient 
• Regularly drink alcohol or caffeine¹
• Eat red meat often¹
• Eat a high-fat diet high cholesterol diet

Having a family history of fibroids, being over 30, or carrying excess weight can increase your risk of developing fibroids. However, it’s crucial to remember that these factors don’t automatically guarantee you’ll have fibroids. Many women with these risk factors live healthy lives without experiencing them.

Stay up-to-date on fibroid awareness

FAQs About Alcohol and Fibroids

If you have fibroids or are experiencing fibroid-like symptoms, you may have questions about the relationship between alcohol and fibroids. Here are answers to some of the more common questions about fibroids and alcohol consumption.

Does Alcohol Affect Fibroids?

If you have larger fibroids, you might be more susceptible to increased pain and discomfort after drinking alcohol. Some women report experiencing worsened fibroid symptoms women such as:

• Heavy bleeding
• Cramping
• Pelvic pain 
• Bloating 
• Increased urinary frequency

This could be due to dehydration, inflammation, or hormonal changes triggered by alcohol consumption.⁵  

Research suggests a link between alcohol consumption and the growth and symptoms of fibroids.⁶ If you have or are at risk of fibroids, you may want to discuss this with your doctor to understand how alcohol might affect you.

How Does Alcohol Make Fibroids Worse?

Emerging research suggests an association between consumption and the growth and symptoms of fibroids Alcohol dehydrates the body, and research suggests it may negatively affect your hormones and endocrine system,⁷ aggravating any fibroid symptoms. Drinking too much alcohol can also interfere with hormone production in the body.⁸ 

Fibroids tend to grow when hormone levels are high, such as during pregnancy. After childbirth or menopause, fibroids often shrink. If alcohol consumption results in excessive hormones in the body, fibroid growth may occur.

Besides Avoiding Alcohol, How Else Can I Deal With My Fibroids?

If your fibroid symptoms, like heavy bleeding, pelvic pain, or abdominal bloating are worsening even after making lifestyle changes such as controlling your alcohol intake, increasing hydration, and adjusting your diet, it’s time to see a fibroid specialist. This is especially important if these symptoms are significantly impacting your life, such as forcing you to:

• Limit daily activities
• Plan your day around bathroom access
• Live in fear of public leaks
• Constantly use period products
• Miss work due to pain or discomfort
• Wear larger clothes due to bloating
• Rely heavily on pain medication

At USA Fibroid Centers, we specialize in a minimally invasive treatment called Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) that can alleviate fibroid symptoms by shrinking your fibroids. UFE has been proven safe and effective for treating uterine fibroids, but it’s important to talk with a fibroid specialist about your available treatment options before making any decisions. 

Schedule Your Consultation With USA Fibroid Centers Today

USA Fibroid Centers’  leading fibroid specialists offer UFE at dozens of state-of-the-art center locations nationwide. Book your appointment today, or call 855.615.2555 for more information.

Schedule Online Now

References

1. “Drinking Too Much Alcohol Can Harm Your Health. Learn the Facts,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, April 14, 2022, https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/alcohol-use.htm. 
2. Hajra Takala et al., “(PDF) Alcohol Consumption and Risk of Uterine Fibroids,” ResearchGate, October 2019, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/336548122_Alcohol_Consumption_and_Risk_of_Uterine_Fibroids. 
3. 1. Lauren A. Wise et al., “Risk of Uterine Leiomyomata in Relation to Tobacco, Alcohol and Caffeine Consumption in the Black Women’s Health Study,” OUP Academic, August 1, 2004, https://academic.oup.com/humrep/article/19/8/1746/2356298. 
4. 1. A.A.  D’Aloisio and D.D. Baird, “Variation in the Association of Alcohol Intake with Uterine Fibroids by Race and Tumor Size,” Annals of Epidemiology, September 9, 2004, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1047279704002145. 
5. 1. Dipak Sarkar, M. Katherine Jung, and H. Joe Wang, “Alcohol and the Immune System,” Alcohol Research : Current Reviews, 2015, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4590612/.  
6. Monia Orciani et al., “Chronic Inflammation May Enhance Leiomyoma Development by the Involvement of Progenitor Cells,” Stem Cells International 2018 (January 1, 2018): 1–13, https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/1716246.
7. Nadia Rachdaoui and Dipak K. Sarkar, “Pathophysiology of the Effects of Alcohol Abuse on the Endocrine System,” Alcohol Research : Current Reviews 38, no. 2 (2017): 255–76, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5513689/
8. Nadia Rachdaoui and Dipak K. Sarkar, “Effects of Alcohol on the Endocrine System,” Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinics of North America 42, no. 3 (September 2013): 593–615, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecl.2013.05.008.